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Southwest US Hit by Deadly Heat Wave

Southwest US Hit by Deadly Heat Wave
Southwest US Hit by Deadly Heat Wave

A lethal, record-setting heat wave has hit southwestern United States.

So far, four people have been killed in Arizona and over 30 million people are under heat warnings or advisories.

At least three large wildfires are burning in the region, covering an area larger than Paris.

“It’s the hottest start to summer ever in three states: California, New Mexico and Arizona,” said CNN Meteorologist Pedram Javaheri.

Phoenix set a new daily record on Sunday, reaching 118 degrees Fahrenheit (47.7 degrees Celsius), according to the US National Weather Service.

It was so hot there, a Mesa Airlines flight to the city had to be diverted back to Texas, the airline said.

The highest temperature recorded on Sunday in the United States was just two degrees warmer in nearby Glendale, Arizona, the NWS said.

Seven areas in western and central New Mexico broke heat records in addition to 14 places in California—where Palm Springs, Thermal, Indio and Borrego all saw temperatures 117 degrees or higher.

Two hikers—a woman from out of state and a man from Europe—died on Sunday in Arizona’s Pima County due to the heat, according to Sheriff’s spokeswoman, Courtney Rodriguez, CNN reported.

In nearby Phoenix, a 28-year-old woman died Sunday, Larry Subervi, a Phoenix fire spokesman said. And a day earlier, a 25-year-old man died, he said.

 

Financialtribune.com